| G4CQM |
Rating:  |
2024-06-02 | |
| Always wanted one of these! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Back in the eighties I wanted an Argosy after seeing ads and reviews in Short Wave Magazine. Just couldn't afford one at that time. Recently bought an Argosy 2 for just GBP100 and was delighted to find it was working.
My favorite band is 10M and wasn't disappointed after working VK2FR on SSB via 'Long Path' late one night. Only 50W and Antron 99 vertical antenna. Receive audio sounds so full and rich. Think I'm going to get this one fully serviced and keep!
Five stars from me! |
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| WA2DZO |
Rating: |
2021-08-01 | |
| Very good for the price |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I purchased the Argosy more than 10 years ago. Needed dial cord that takes a bit of effort to install. Noisy controls fixed with a careful use of tuner spray. Once on air I got marvelous audio reports as far as Colorado. RX audio is the best of the bunch" to my ears", easy copy. I still have it around and use it to copy W1AW CW practice. I appreciate old analog filters. I really like the look and feel of this radio. Less fuss to use than my FT991a but at its age it demands attention. Also have FT817 "Swiss army knife" XIEGU G90, FT 60 Ht and Motorola GTX 900 MHZ. Also couple of Baofeng hts as book ends, they work OK for field day local work. Easy to replace if they get lost. |
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| WB1CDG |
Rating: |
2020-09-15 | |
| Lackluster performer but works. |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I picked this radio up at an estate sale with high hopes. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The "feel" of the radio is pretty cheap, like a toy. The receiver seems selective enough and the "notch" filter is nice, but the audio sounds tinny, like a cheap transistor broadcast radio. Compared to my 1980s (same era) Yaesu FT-757GX, this has terrible audio. The transmit really depends on the mic. Using a Shure 404C mic, I am driving the radio well enough to get out with SSB and have made a ton of contacts with this rig (on 5 and 50 watts). The audio out reports I get are lackluster, but other Ops seem to get solid copy. If I want to get through a pileup with better audio out, I'll use my old Atlas 210x and the same Shure 404C hand mic. If I want great audio on receive to give my ears a break, I'll use my Yaesu FT-757GX. If I'm looking for a more sensitive receiver for weak signal ops, I'll use the Atlas 210x. But if I want an expendable Field Day radio that is light, doesn't use much battery power, and that I wouldn't miss if it was damaged, lost, or destroyed, then I choose my TenTec Argosy 525. It's not really great at anything, but it's an acceptable transceiver. (Note: the only filter I have is the SSB filter; perhaps a fully decked-out Argosy that has all the options might be a better performer.) At the end of the day, it's an ok transceiver that can get the job done, particularly if you're using battery power.
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| KE7GGZ |
Rating: |
2020-06-13 | |
| REALLY IMPRESSED ! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
WELL, I found a 2nd Argosy recently, again on Facebook. This one is from an SK's estate. I am both humbIed and surprised to have recieved this transceiver. It's hard to determine, which one is the better radio. But, I did go through it and did the C-12, capacitor change as I did on the first Argosy.. I need to pick up a couple Tantalum capacitors, to help with the popping sound on strong received signals. It is now my number one radio to use.
The only item missing, which I'll find, is the CW, filter board that is optional and fits inside the bottom of the radio. I also will replace the CW filter (217) to the 218 SSB filter.
I rate this radio 10 out of 10!
And dont ask me to sell one, or trade! Shes a keeper, both of them. Anyways, I promised the person who I got it from, that i would use them.
I found this radio, listed on Facebook market place in Yuma Arizona, recently.
If I had to guess, this radio was hardly ever used. I would give it a 9.9 score out of 10.
I pulled the top cover off and inspected the insides expecting to see the normal wear and tear of hours and hours of use. Much to my surprise, it looked totally brand new inside. No smell of use either.
I was shocked and even used a magnifying glass to look at wires and individual parts. I really dont think this radio had much use on it, at all. It looked brand new inside!
I had to order a microphone adapter and hunted down a used kenwood 8 pin hand mic and then let it warm up, with the included power supply.
It looks like even the string is new on the dial and only goes to the 1 on the dial, instead of zero. But that's ok
.
I then made my first contact using an NVIS (2, inverted V's 90* apart) ANTENNA 15 ft, off the ground, into Loveland Colorado from my location near the Grand Canyon, in Arizona. A 505 mile contact, as the crow flies. The contact was also using an antenna 15ft off the ground to, but gave me a 4/4 signal report using my 50 watts out. Conditions suck!
I then made several contacts in Arizona, to Prescott, Showlow and Benson, all the way down near the Mexican border. All 5/9 reports with good audio.
Found all the optional boards and a SSB 8 pole filter and installed all of them
The radio is now loaded. I also now have a parts radio just in case.
I decided to do the capacitor modification on C12, changing it from 0.01uf, to 0.1uf. All I can say is WOW!???? WHAT A DIFFERENCE in the hissing noise. Now, I can hear all those weak stations, compared to before the modification. Much quieter and my volume knob, is 50% lower now, setting slightly below 2.
The foil over the power line inside the bottom of radio, to the on/off switch works! It eliminated the hum in my radio and is even more of a pleasure to listen to, now. I used plastic ties to ground the foil to the side of the chassis. Just remember to keep the foil away from the solder connections on the switch. I used plastic ties on the front of the foil so it will not move, as well as the end of the foil that touches the side and back bottom aluminum support. Worth doing the mod. to eleiminate the AC hum.
Glad I found this TenTec Argosy gen 1!
What do I like most about it? Its DIRT SIMPLE TO USE!
US ARMY VETS, WOULD CALL IT KISS, CERTIFIED!
KEEP IT SIMPLE AND STUPID, to use!
And its built like a tank! |
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| KC7CJO |
Rating: |
2018-09-26 | |
| Great QRP Rig! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought mine used about 5 years ago and have had NO issues, bad ones anyway, with this jewel! I have to run it on low power because my antenna (40-mtr dipole) is directly over the house and on HI power it will turn on/off our touch lamps and messes with the TV/stereo system (really annoy's my wife!). But it works great and all my QSL reports are up there with the big guns! It's a very simple rig and easy to use. If you find one, buy it, use it, love it, and it will love you back!!!
I actually have a working Dentron HF-200A, but because it's all analog, I can't trust it to know exactly what frequency I'm on and asking those I talk to seem to get annoyed when I ask them, so I just use my 525D!
Overall a GREAT rig! |
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| WI6T |
Rating: |
2014-05-21 | |
| Three decades of ham radio enjoyment |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
BE AWARE: First off, if you find an Argosy for sale, be sure to get the external power supply sold just for this radio. If not, be sure to use the external circuit breaker designed for the Argosy. The radio can be damaged if you hook up just any power supply. Do your homework prior to purchase. That said:
Bought my analog Argosy new in 1982. The radio is "full dress"; replaced the original 4 pole filter with the 8 pole; added the noise blanker (one of the best of many radios owned over the years), calibrator, two CW filters, 1800 Hz SSB filter, and the mobile mounting bracket. Also put in the amplifier board; the rig will drive my SB-1000 to 500 watts. I installed a switch to allow the amp board to be in or out; when out, full QSK and when in the delay is adjustable. Enjoy the "LO - HI" power switch at the rear; five watts max low power, fifty watts max high. The radio was serviced once by Ten-Tec for an overall check-up. It is nice that TT still services their legacy gear.
For simply pure straightforward ham radio fun the TT Argosy cannot be beat. |
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| WB0FDJ |
Rating: |
2012-10-31 | |
| Old reliable... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
After 31 years of ownership I finally had to "tear it down" for repairs. My RF output had dropped alarmingly--the cause was the drivers. Cost for a couple of these is about $13. Needed to service the PTO and restring the dial--cost about $36. This is a rig that ANY ham can work on and I am the proverbial caveman. Now that the radio is working I am enjoying the mellow sound of the receiver and the absolute simplicity. (Just in time too, the multi-knob on my 2 year old Jupiter is acting up, a common problem, and "Old Reliable" just took first chair!) First couple of QSO's I had there were no computers running, wasn't fiddling with extraneous knobs, no panadaptors. Just the kind of CW contacts I had back in the day. This is a nice older rig, grab one if you can find one. Original review follows:
I'm the original owner of this radio now going on 30 years. For those of us who were running Argonauts back then (I had the 509) this was the next big thing. The 525 has a better receiver and a "built in" 50 watt amp, such as many used with the Argo's. I don't think any of us thought of this rig as an engineering marvel or somesuch, we got it to use as a working SSB/CW rig that had the "new" 30 meter band. Over the decades this radio has been a true and faithful companion. The optional audio filter is amazingly effective. The QSK is still about as good as you'd want. Mine still works like new and a few times a year she comes off the shelf for a drive around the bands. Would make a nice "back up" rig for the CW op that just needs a dial to turn and a key.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB0FDJ on 2010-11-06
My earlier review of this radio has become lost somewhere in the electronic universe so I will leave this information for posterity.
I'm the original owner of this radio now going on 30 years. For those of us who were running Argonauts back then (I had the 509) this was the next big thing. The 525 has a better receiver and a "built in" 50 watt amp, such as many used with the Argo's. I don't think any of us thought of this rig as an engineering marvel or somesuch, we got it to use as a working SSB/CW rig that had the "new" 30 meter band. Over the decades this radio has been a true and faithful companion. The optional audio filter is amazingly effective. The QSK is still about as good as you'd want. Mine still works like new and a few times a year she comes off the shelf for a drive around the bands. Would make a nice "back up" rig for the CW op that just needs a dial to turn and a key. |
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| N7INO |
Rating: |
2012-06-18 | |
| GREAT RIG |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| My Corsair on the way for repair, used over 12 years and picked up this Argosy in a trade. It has the GREAT Ten Tec receive, I get the same reports on air I get with the corsair, Doesn't get any better then that. I would recomend this to everyone can't go wrong. Its a shame rigs like this arn't made anymore. |
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| K3PA |
Rating: |
2012-01-13 | |
| Fun! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
It drifts a little. Receive is good but not great.
But CW QSK is terrific, and 50W is nice. Simple to use. This thing is a LOT of fun. |
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| KB1OF |
Rating: |
2012-01-05 | |
| 2nd Ten Tec Argosy |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This is my 2nd Argosy. I have one that I use in the shack all the time in preferance to my OMNI C. I had a chance to get this at a premium price of $60 at a hamfest. The relay would just sputter. I sent it into Ten Tec a year ago when I got it. It had an outboard relay that was drawing 3 amps alone. Ten Tec tech replaced the relay with a Ten Tec relay, replaced the VFO with a rebuilt one and aligned it and checked it all over. Total cost with shipping a bit over $200, bringing the cost of the little 50 w out rig to about $260. This one, I keep for mobile and portable use, an to take to camp in the summer. Used mostly with QRPp use, it draws 559 reports with all DX. and a G5RV antenna. With the upcoming bands, I prefer the Argosy for allround use. It has a strong signal and quiet front end. I use it with a little DSP audio filter to break through when signals are close.(See my other review on Argosy #1.)
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB1OF on 2002-04-09
Receintly I purchased an analog model 525 Argosy at a local hamfest. The price was right and the ham I bought it from was honest in pointing out that the ALC led did not light. But that the rig was otherwise in very good operationg condition. It came with power supply. I returned home to try it out. I found that a good audio filter in line with an outboard speaker will do very well. In QRP mode running 4 watts on 20 meters I have worked 15 Dx stations representing 12 different countries in a week. ( about 2-3 per night) Working only CW, the reports have been 559 to 599 and many have resulted in a ragchew explaining that I was only running 4 watts. What a wonderful rejuvination to work these countries QRP. If you love CW like I do and you are in need of a rig, look for the Argosy. Although 20 years old, this little solid state rig is hot. The receiver is sensitive and the actual 4 - 5 watts out are as good as your antenna. Best 73, Bud |
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